Illuminated sign



Jan. 12,1926. 1,569,423

I G. A. GRIFFIN IL LUMIN ATBD SIGN Filed Dec. 29, 1924 2 Sheeis-Sheet 1 INVENTOR G. A. GRIFFIN ILLUIINATBD stun Filed Dec. 29, 1924 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patenteddan. 12, 1926.

GEORGE A. GRIFFI or oAKLAiIiJ; cauro'aim.

ILLUMINATED SIGN. I

Application filed December 29, 1924'. Serial .NO. 758 728.

To all whom it may camera:

Be it known that I, GEORGE A. GRIFFIN, a citizen of the United States, and resident of Oakland, in the county of Alameda and State of California, have invented a certain new and useful Improvement in Illuminated Signs, of 'which'the following is a specification.

This invention relates to thatclass ofapparatus known as advertising signs when light is used to illuminate the parts for advertising and display purposes.

The invention more especially relates to that type of apparatus knownas electric signs usually having a series of letters or figures mounted by a retainer and in which is placed a series of electric lights to illuminate the different letters or figures and make them visible where it is necessaryrto use artificial light.

It is one of the objects of the present invention to improve the construction of an electric sign so as to make it superior in point of simplicity, inexpensive in operation and havinga general high efficiency.

It is another object of the invention to provide an electric sign with improved means to eliminate the excessive number of electric lights used in the present type of electric signs. V

It is a further object of the invention to provide an electric sign with improved adjustable means to reflect light against the part to be illuminated and thereby reduce the cost of operating and maintaining the lhe invention possesses other objects and features of advantage some of which, with the foregoing, will be made manifest in the following description of the preferred form of the invention which is illustrated in the drawings accompanying and forming part of the specification.

It is to be understood that it is not intended to limit the invention to the embodiment shown by said drawings and descriptions, as variations may be adopted within the scope of the invention as set forth in the claims.

In the drawing:

Figure l is a central longitudinal sec.-

tional view of one type of sign involving the invention.

Figure 2 is an outside view looking directly in front of the sign and using the Word Drugs for illustration.

Figure 3- is.an eiidsection showing one method of pivotallyinounting a reflector.

I Figure 4 is a mirror or reflector mounted on a frame.

Figure 5 1s tL-lHLlfSQCtlOH showing a spot light and soineof the reflectors.

Figure 6 is a perspective View with pa rt of the top broken away showing the reflectors behind the letters.

Figure 7 is averticalend sectional view of a modified form of reflector mounting, illustrating means for angularlyadjusting the reflectors with respect to the source of illumination.

As said in the beginning the principal improvement consists in providing an electric sign with simple and effective means for eliminating some of the excessive number of lights used in the present type of'sign and thereby reduce the cost of operating. and maintaining the sign. These and other objects alreadymentioned are accomplished by providing an electric sign with a series .of.

adjustable reflectors ofany shape or size placed atany angle or in any position desired, and to throw light against these reflectors and thereby reflect that light to the part or, parts to be illuminated.

In Figure 1 is shown a series of reflectors 3. in a housing 4 in which there is a spot light 5 thrown against these series ofre'flectors 3. v The reflectors 3 are located behind the letters 6 and placed at any angle necessary to throw a direct reflection from the spot light against the letters necessary to illuminate; the word Drugs in this case being used for illustration.

In the modified form illustrated in Figure 7, a rear closure panel 7 is provided with inwardly directed longitudinal flanges 8 and 9, having suitable openings adapted for the reception of the thumb screws 10, the shank ends of which are adapted for engagement with the interior surface of the topand bottom walls of the casing, when the said screws are adjusted to hold the rear panel 7 in adjusted position with respect to the front wall, having the character indicating openings 6.

In this instance, a series of reflectors 3 is arranged in spaced relation forwardly of hanger rods 14, secured to the lower rear surface of each of the reflectors 3.

The entire series of reflectors is mounted on the rear panel 7 and may be adjusted in horizontal plane with respect to the character designations 6 and the illuminating source 5.

Resultant of the novel pivotal connection of the reflectors 3 upon the posts 11, the former are capable of adjustment in angular plane to the front wall having the character designations 6, and likewise inangular plane with relation to the illuminating source 5.

The novel mounting of the reflectors 3 in the manner stated provides for the collective adjustment of reflector series and the universal adjustment of each individual reflector.

Likewise, each reflector 3 is capable of adjustment in direct vertical plane by loosening the screws, not illustrated, in the sleeves 12. These screws have end engagement with the vertical portions 13 of the hanger rods 14', so that the reflectors may be individually raised or lowered.

It will thus be seen that by throwing a direct reflection against each individual letter or part that is to be illuminated, the

intensity of the light is confined to these particular spots, and therefore will require a less number of lights with the result of less operating and maintaining costs.

What is claimed is:

1. An illuminated sign comprising a receptacle having a front wall provided with character defining openings, a closure panel 'adjustably connected to said receptacle, an illuminating element in said receptacle, a

series of reflectors arranged on said closure panel and means for ad usting said reflectors with respect tothe character openings and illuminating element.

2. An illuminative sign comprising a receptacle provided with a wall having a series of letters or figures thereon, a closure panel adj ustably mounted in said receptacle, an electric light in said receptacle, a series of reflectors arranged on said panel and being capable of universal adjustment with respect to said electric light and letters or figures.

' 3. In an illuminative sign, the combination with a housing receptacle having a series of letters or figures, of an illuminating element in said receptacle, a panel for closing said receptacle, a series of reflectors mounted on said panel and said reflectors and said panel being adjustable with respect to said letters or figures and said illuminating element.

IL. An illuminative sign, the combination with a receptacle having character defining openings in one wall thereof, a panel for closing said receptacle, a lighting element arranged in said receptacle, a series of reflectors mounted on said closure panel, said panel adapted for adjustment within said receptacle and said reflectors being capable of vertical and angular adjustment with respect to said lighting element.

5. An electric sign, the combination with a receptacle having character defining openings in the front wall thereof and a closure panel, a lighting element arranged in said receptacle, a plurality of posts disposed on said closure panel, a series of reflectors mounted on said posts and means for ad justing the position of said reflectors on said posts with respect to the character defining openings and lighting element.

GEORGE A. GRIFFIN. 

